Walt Disney World's Epcot
- Sue Carr
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 117
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219
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Editor Pick
Around the World in One Day at Epcot
- July 11, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Poole Party from everywhere, Virginia
Epcot Center provides a snapshot of the world - from 'traditional' houses and plazas from Mexico, Japan, Italy to Canada, to food and drink from around the world.
In addition to the highlights from various countries, you can visit some rides like the Viking Boat voyage, a boat ride around the various 'countries', and also visit some cool and comfortable indoor theatre shows about the country. Worth the 30 minute of cool down time before you head out to the next country.
When you are done walking around and eating the fare from each country, you can stop in at Future world for exploration of time and travel with exhilirating rides like 'Soaring' for the big kid in all of us, as well as enjoy some character interaction with shows like Turtle Talk with Crush, which is entertaining for the little kid in all of us.
Once again, something for everyone. Epcot used to be one of the highlights of theme parks, but seems to be losing some of its attraction because the World Showcase is just not as fun as a theme park filled with water and roller coasters. Still, I found it quite engaging and fun for the kids, especially if they do the little project of walking around the world to collect little stamps from each country.
Epcot has Fast pass for the ride and is a great day's excursion at a much slower pace than Magic Kingdom and some of the other parks. Worth a visit in my opinion.
From journal Activities in Orlando, FL
Editor Pick
Disney's Epcot
When I was younger I was never a fan of EPCOT. I loved the world show case, but there was little entertainment value to the park. After my visit in 2006 I was disturbed to see how untouched most of EPCOT was. They added new rides like Mission Space, Sorin', and The Seas with Nemo and friends, but the world showcase was left untouched. Mexico, Canada, and China still showed the same movies that I saw when I was a kid in the 80's.
My last trip to EPCOT seems to show a major improvement overall to the park. In Canada the movie O Canada!, shown in circle vision, has been re-shot. The new movie shows breathtaking shots of Canada in all its beauty with some comedy thrown in.
Mexico has also been revamped. The once dead boat ride through tourist Mexico has been replaced with the Gran Fiesta Tour Staring the Three Caballeros. It is the same boat ride, but new animation of Jose, and Panchio as they chase Donald through Mexico. The sound, back drop, and videos all have been updated bring life back to this ride. The improvements show. I have never seen the line here more then five minutes, even when the park was at capacity; this time around I waited in a 20 minute ride that extended into the market area.
My favorite rides are still in Future world, and although I love the e-ticket rides Spaceship Earth (the giant golf ball) has a soft spot in my heart. This is one of the original rides in the park. When I heard that they closed it for a major refurbishment my heart skipped a beat. Refurbishments for the classic Disney rides aren't usually a good thing As I stood in line I hoped that they retained at least some of the appeal of the original. From the moment I stepped onto the cars that were to take me through Spaceship Earth I was impressed. The sound system and technology were greatly updated. The cars featured a screen that took a survey of where each rider was from, took their picture, and allowed me to change the language that was spoken. The original intent of the ride was to show how communication evolved. It started with cave men up until recent times. Previous to the complete revamp the "technology of today and tomorrow" was a very brief section that was often out of date. Last year they showed how with the new advances in technology we could communicate with people on the opposite side of the world. I had to laugh at this as i checked my text messages to find a picture of my godson who is living in Japan with his mom. The new version of the ride is much more informative and much more interesting then the previous ride. I personally loved the section where they showed Steve Jobs (one of my heroes...long story) in his parents garage creating the first Apple computer. The end of the ride focuses back on the screens in the car. They ask questions about your personality and incorporate it into a little animated skit of what your life will be like in the future. I loved it.
After the riding was over I convinced my grandparents to stay for the fireworks which are displayed on the lake in the middle of the park. To really see the show guests need to stand along the railings that circle the lake. These spaces fill up early. The show started off with fireworks and lights all choreographed to music. Part way through a giant Earth floats out into the middles of the lake. At this point most of the fireworks die down and the Earth starts spinning and showing videos on the the continents. This is pretty hard to see if you don't have spot along the lake. The show ends with a grand display of fireworks over the Earth. The show was good, but after watching the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom the day before I wasn't as impressed.
My one piece of advice for visiting EPCOT would be to use the Fastpasses and use them well. The fastpass system is a blessing at EPCOT. Due to the small amount of e-ticket rides lines grow quickly and rarely drop below a two hour wait. Grab all of your fastpasses before noon on attractions like Mission Space, Fast Track, and especially Sorin' (the line was already an hour and a half 20 minutes after the park opened).
From journal Birthdays at the Happiest Place On Earth
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- September 13, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
houdini16409 from las vegas, Nevada
I think that Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is one of the better family rides in Tomorrowland. You sit in a car and help Buzz shoot all. It is a lot of fun. It is suited for the whole family and is not scary for the little ones. Everything glows in the dark, so it is really cool.
The ride is quite popular so it may be one of those rides that you will need to Fastpass, and come back so that you do not need to stand in line. Another suggestion would be to visit this attraction right away in the morning to avoid the crowds.
From journal Disneyworld with the Whole Family
Editor Pick
Disney's Epcot
- July 14, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
willtraveler from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Epcot, Walt Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, has become much more exciting over the last couple of years. All the major attractions can be covered in one day, but there is so much to see that one could easily spend two or more days wandering around.
Line up at the park gates before official opening time. As soon as you are let in, head straight to Soarin in the Land pavilion. This ride simulates hand gliding and is a fun, relaxing, and not at all intense experience. Next, cross Future World and hit Mission Space and Test Track. Often times visitors stop at Spaceship Earth, the ride located inside the giant Epcot ball, first. This is a huge mistake! Lines are very, very long in the morning; however, if you wait until the afternoon lines are almost unheard of.
After hitting those major attractions, visit the Imagination Pavilion to catch Honey I Shrunk the Audience. There is also a new Finding Nemo attraction in the Living Seas. It loads fairly quickly, so it is not usually a big problem. Ellen's Energy Adventure is a good, long ride that rarely ever has a wait. Do it during the afternoon to escape the heat.
World Showcase opens at 11, several hours after Future World. As soon as it opens, head over to Mexico and Norway first to do the two boat rides. After that, take some time to leisurely stroll around the other countries. Also, try to catch the American Adventure. I certainly recommend dining at one of the countries. I have eaten at Teppanyaki in Japan and Marrakesh in Morocco. Both are unique dining experiences. The Moroccan food was very good, although I must warn that it has a very distinct taste that not all diners enjoy. I certainly suggest eating out for lunch, since the prices are often much cheaper, and grabbing some form of quick service food for dinner.
After you finish strolling around World Showcase, head back to Future World to catch anything you have missed. Innovations is great fun and you can spend hours exploring all the different areas. Also, though the Test Track lines often get long, if you don't mind splitting your party up, hop in the single line for a very short wait. If you make it until park closing, be sure to grab a good spot for the amazing Illuminations firework display.
From journal Walt Disney World!
Editor Pick
Epcot Part 3
The World Showcase: This section of the park opens about an hour later than Future World.
Mexico: Mostly shopping, but inside the El Rio del Tiempo they have been able to recreate the atmosphere of Mexico. The ride is a slow-boat ride down a river educating you about what tourists see in Mexico. It is very out dated and needs some serious attention. This is a common theme throughout the World Showcase.
Norway: Maelstrom: This is a fun ride though the Viking era of Norway including an encounter with trolls that results in going over the waterfall. After the ride there is a film on the history of something about Norway. I made the mistake of sitting through It 15 years ago that I’d never make again. I suggest skipping out of it.
China: Nothing really good here. There is so much potential, but again it has been the same for the last 15 years. The one fun thing that you can find here is the performances. They have a great storyteller who was doing the story of the monkey king while I was there which was fantastic.
Germany: No rides, but some great food and shopping. If you want great Christmas ornaments then this is the place to go.
Italy: Nothing more than food and a little shopping.
The American Adventure: Nothing to do here either. We ate here at the Liberty Inn. The food was horrible and not worth the wait. We were given the wrong drinks and no one would fix it and we really didn’t want to stand in line for another hour to change them. The register also broke and no one bothered to tell anyone that there was a problem or that we should get into a different line.
Japan: This is a great place to shop. I was here a few years ago with one of my Japanese friends. She didn’t want to leave because it reminded her home so much. I ate at the Yakitori House and got noodles. They weren’t bad, but I could have got the same thing for much cheaper at home.
Morocco: Another great place to shop, but not much more.
France: Just shopping.
France: I’m seeing a pattern here…more shopping.
Canada: Nothing.
Outpost: This is a fun shopping place that represents Africa. One of the great parts about this is that they had a man who was craving canes that were amazing.
From journal Disney World, Oh and Other Things in Florida